Lecturer: Anna Magrini   Roberto Sala  

Course name: Environmental Technical Physics and Hydraulic Machines
Course code: 503011
Degree course: Ingegneria per l'Ambiente e il Territorio
Disciplinary field of science: ING-IND/11 ING-IND/08
The course relates to:
University credits: CFU 9
Course website: n.d.

Specific course objectives

The course is aimed at engineering students to improve their knowledge about noise pollution, its reductioni in urban areas, and about global environmental confort outdoors. The control of air pollutant emissions, particularly CO2, may be performed at the source, by reducing energy consumption in buildings. Air conditioning systems in buildings, and use of solar energy to reduce heating loads in buildings are analysed. The student will have the basis knowledge about analysis of the feasibility of reducing consumption of HVAC Systems and the use of solar collectors. The course of Hydraulic Machines aims to show the characteristics and basic operating principles of hydraulic machines commonly used in industries. Particular attention is focused on the choice of the most appropriate machinery and on flow rate regulation system in order to maximize plant efficiency.

Course programme

Noise Pollution
Outdoor environment: noise sources in urban areas, classification of noise, noise measurements and evaluation criteria, analysis of actions to reduce noise. Plans to safeguard environmental quality, environmental protection against noise. Analysis of geomorphological, meteorological, anthropological and settlement characteristics of the territory. Noise sources and mapping in terms of noise pollution. Methods of intervention for the noise reduction in highly polluted areas.

Psychrometrics
Air quality and health in indoor environments. Related regulations. Applications related to health in relation to the indoor temperature and humidity conditions and the high humidity on cold surfaces. Human confort.

Use of solar energy
Energy saving is also based on better exploitation of natural resources. The use of solar water heaters offers good ideas for reducing fuel consumption and pollutants into the atmosphere. Evaluation of the solar energy that can be used. Common types and innovative solar panels. Hydraulic system and possibility of use as hot water and support heating systems. Analysis of achievable energy savings . Calculation methods of the benefits of collectors and water heating solar systems. Installation design.

General principles
Thermodynamic and fluid-dynamic principles of fluid-operating machines. Mass and energy conservation. Relative motions, Euler equation.

Pumps
Classification and selection criteria. Operating parameters: head, efficiencies and power required. Performance curves, design and off-design operating conditions: flow rate control methods. Cavitation, NPSH required. Affinity laws for turbomachines. Interaction between pump geometry and performance required.

Hydraulic turbines
Hydraulic plants and selection criteria. Pelton, Francis and Kaplan: operating characteristics and performance curves.

Course entry requirements

For a clear understanding of the topics covered, the study of the course of Technical Physics are required.

Course structure and teaching

Lectures (hours/year in lecture theatre): 45
Practical class (hours/year in lecture theatre): 45
Practicals / Workshops (hours/year in lecture theatre): 0

Suggested reading materials

Testing and exams

To access the examination some exercises are needed (applying the techniques of humidity control, air conditioning use of alternative energy and noise control). The mode of development and delivery of the exercises are presented in the first lessons of the course and are available from the teacher. The examination consists in a written test and an oral discussion.